Capitol Theatre

FanaticalAboutOdeon on June 21, 2013 at 3:41 am

The 1968 conversion for Mecca produced a particularly pleasing cinema in the original, large balcony. Not only was the large screen frame set within a “soft” proscenium but the silver satin screen curtains were very effectively lit by three colour circuit footlights (red, amber and blue)and the “new” cinema was large by today’s standards. The cinema looked splendid and had a really good atmosphere. The aesthetics were matched by splendid sound and projection quality. I saw several films there during 1969 including “Funny Girl” where the standards of presentation were top notch. By the mid ‘60s, the original, elaborate auditorium had, like many vast and ornate cinemas – Granadas particularly – taken on a somewhat tired and dusty appearance which wasn’t helped by economies which involved using a bare minimum of decorative lighting in the auditorium. Up until a small fire on stage and its closure for Mecca’s conversion, the Capitol had a spectacular set of screen curtains which were made by the Holophane Lighting to take advantage of their lighting system. The curtains were identical in design to those installed at the unrelated Rialto cinema in York where Holophane also created the decorative lighting scheme. The curtains were black velour with a striking, appliqued design of various colours of satin forming lower, horizontal bands in green and red above which were what appeared to be abstract tree-like shapes in shades of green from which gold birds appeared to be taking flight. The curtains must have looked magnificent in the days when the red/blue/green footlights were mixed and blended to produce countless different hues on the multi-coloured satin “picture”. The black background virtually disappeared, of course, and gave the design an almost 3D look. By the '60s, only one of the footlight circuits was being used and this was filtered primary green with just the outermost three lamp compartments filtered red. The effect was still quite good with the red and green separated by an amber glow where the neighbouring compartments allowed the red and green to blend.

Ian on February 5, 2012 at 11:39 am

Newly found information:–

The Capitol closed for alterations which separated the circle into a 630 seat cinema, whilst the former stalls accommodated 1,400 bingo players. A wall was constructed at the front of the balcony with a new screen surrounded by a swagged pelmet and fronted by new curtains. The architects involved were Eric Neve and Associates, the contractors were F Shepherd & Son Ltd, the cost was claimed to be £30,000. The Cinema re-opened 11th March 1968 with “Smashing Time” starring Rita Tushingham.

This followed a months closure the previous year when from 7th May 1967 to the 5th June the Capitol was closed for alterations and redecoration in the hands of Mecca. From this point the films were shown once nightly, seen from seats in the circle, whilst bingo was played in the stalls afternoons and early evening. This was reported as costing £60,000.

The cinema did not last very long and after it had closed the balcony sub-division was removed to restore the Capitol to its original appearance for bingo throughout. The usual staircase at one side of the balcony to the stalls was installed.

Source Evening News 11/3/1968 – includes photo.

Ian on September 1, 2009 at 1:15 am

A 2009 shot of the cinema here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/3876803487/

Ian on August 25, 2007 at 4:48 pm

August 2007 exterior picture here:–

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